Connecting Veterans through gaming

The sharing of any non-VA information does not constitute an endorsement of products and services on the part of VA. Veterans should verify the information with the organization offering.

Frost Call is a Veteran nonprofit founded in 2019 to bring Veterans together through the power of gaming. The name was inspired by the process in the Marine Corps (Fast Response on Short Transmission) of contacting your Marines and ensuring everyone’s safety. It’s a point of contact that reinforced the importance of looking out for one another in your unit.

We know that social connection helps service members get through some of the toughest experiences during their military career. After service, Veterans are often left to figure it out or hanging on to whatever social support they can find. Connections from the military are tough, because folks are often spread out across the country after service. Developing new friendships can be even harder; it takes a lot of work when you’re not engaged with others day in and day out.

The F.R.O.S.T. Call stops after military service, so we decided to start one ourselves. Sometimes it’s easier to talk with a controller in your hands and something fun to play, so we lean on gaming as a way to stay connected. It allows for many things valued within the military community: communication, collaboration and competition.

At its core, Frost Call is about connection. We take the awkwardness out of rebuilding that friend network through coordinated events, online engagement, and structured programming that brings Vets together in lowkey social settings. Our emphasis on mental health includes resources, events and support from a network of local providers in our online community. Our in-person programming includes deployable gaming events at local colleges and Veteran groups, community meetups in game shops and board game cafes throughout Massachusetts. Our marquee service is the Battle Buddy program which offers unique events for those looking to take a step further in their efforts to socialize.

Anyone can join our community at any time by going to www.frostcall.org/discord. We are also excited to debut a collegial tournament this year called “Frost Call: Versus,” which will pit ROTC and student Veterans against one another representing four colleges: Harvard, MIT, Northeastern, and Boston University. We are the “last mile delivery” for connection and camaraderie in the New England area, so if you’re local be sure to come out to a future event and say hello. If not, see you on the Discord.